Copyright langleyadvancetimes
Dear Editor, I want to share a little story with you my father-in-law has asked me to write. Sadly, he has just passed away after a battle with leukemia. His last days were spent at the Langley Hospice and prior to that he was in the ICU and 4 Central South at Langley Memorial Hospital. A resident of Langley, he has asked me to convey that so often in the media today we hear about the poor state of our health-care system, and there is no doubt it has its challenges. However, he wanted people to know his view to the health-care system as he reached the end of his life. He wanted people to know, that despite his diagnosis, he can’t speak highly enough about those who have helped him along the way. It was important enough to him that it was one of his last wishes. His journey began with a trip to the ICU at Langley Memorial Hospital and shortly thereafter, he was moved to 4 Central South. He was so impressed by the staff in both of these units. While at LMH, he received his diagnosis and was then introduced to the palliative care team. As part of the transition to palliative care, he was allowed to go home for a couple of days. The palliative care team came to his house to discuss options. It was decided that the best option was to go into the Langley hospice. What an amazing facility. They have clearly thought of everything that a resident needs. They also make sure the families are taken care of as well. The staff there are so kind, caring and empathetic. There is also a team of volunteers that that do everything they can to make the residents and families feel comfortable. There are so many staff that do so much, but he has asked me to identify several staff who have really made an impression. The first is Dr. Cass. He is part of the palliative care team. My father-in-law told me how every day, Dr. Cass came into his room, sat on his bed and just chatted, making sure his needs are met and that he was comfortable. He often remarked how no other doctor has ever done that in his experience. There are also many nurses, caregivers, and staff that did everything they could to make his final days comfortable. This includes Nancy, Lori, Vilma and Kim. These are just a few of the staff, there are so many that make the hospice special. I apologize if I have missed anyone. His room was referred to as the party room, because they have never seen so many visitors. I think this speaks to the man in the room and how so many people wanted to spend time with him in his final days. Usually there was a game on and currently the Jays are in the playoffs. So many of the staff would just pop in to say hi and catch up on the game. As I write this, the Jays are down two games to the Seattle Mariners. He predicted that the Jays would win in six. He also asked me to make a special mention about Dr. Wittmann. She is a pulmonologist and was one of the first doctors along the way. He often told me how special she was and how much time she spent with him just caring. He told me how when he found out his final diagnosis, she just came by and hugged him. He was so impressed. I mentioned at the outset that I was writing this for my father-in-law and that he wanted me to convey his experience and that despite its flaws, the health-care system has got some things right and we should honour those who are working hard in that system. Thanks to all those who have helped him on his final journey for he will always be my father-in-law, Al Wightman and he is a special man. But more than this, he is my friend, and I will miss him. He was bigger than life, and it would take a novel to tell all of his stories. What an amazing life. I am glad there were so many special people taking care of him on his final journey. Thank you on behalf of the family. Andrew Gilligan, Port Coquitlam
